English Mastiff

Temperament

The Mastiff is a very massive, powerful, muscular dog commonly known as a gentle giant. Don’t let the size fool you, these dogs are lovers! Dominance levels vary, even within the same litter, but they are a born guard dog even though they rarely bark. It’s in the Mastiff’s nature to defend its territory and family but they are more of a silent guard rather than a barker.

When the Mastiff catches an intruder the dog is more likely to hold them at bay, either by trapping them in a corner or lying on top of them rather than an all-out attack. You do not need to train your Mastiff to guard, it comes naturally. No matter how friendly it is, if it senses danger it will naturally guard on its own unless the owners are there to tell it otherwise.

Self-confident and watchful, these English Mastiff puppies are patient and considered excellent with children. Intelligent, calm, even-tempered and docile, this breed is very large and heavy. They respond well to firm, but gentle, patient training. They love to please and need a lot of human leadership. Socialize them well to prevent them from becoming aloof with strangers.

Disposition

The English Mastiff is a very large and powerful dog that is also alert, intelligent, self-confident, and will make good guard dog. The English Mastiff is also patient and calm, with people often calling it a gentle giant. Although a natural guard dog, the English Mastiff does not bark often. For example, rather than attacking an intruder, it is more likely to trap them in a corner or lay on top of them. Due to its patient and calm nature, the English Mastiff is good with children. Because of their large size, it is important to socialize and train this breed from an early age to prevent them from becoming unfriendly with strangers and other animals. Like many large breeds, the English Mastiff tends to drool and snore loudly.

Training

Owners need to be firm, calm, consistent, confident with an air of natural authority to communicate to the Mastiff that dominance is not unacceptable. If socialized with proper leadership it will get along well with other dogs. The Mastiff tends to drool, wheeze and snore loudly. It can be somewhat difficult to train. The objective in training this dog is to achieve pack leader status. It is a natural instinct for a dog to have an order in its pack.

When humans live with dogs, we become their pack. The entire pack cooperates under a single leader. Define rules and lines clearly, because a dog communicates displeasure with growling and eventually biting. All other humans MUST be higher up in the pecking order than the dog. The humans must be the ones making the decisions, not the dogs. That is the only way your relationship with your dog can be a complete success.

Exercise

Despite their size, Mastiffs are inclined to be lazy but will be happier and fitter if given regular exercise. Like all dogs, take the Mastiff on daily regular walks to help release its mental and physical energy. It’s in a dog’s nature to walk. They should always be on a leash in public.

Care

For rapidly growing giant breeds such as English Mastiff puppies, proper nutrition is critical through puppy-hood and up to 2 years of age. Slow and steady growth is optimal. If fed a densely caloric diet lacking an appropriate calcium/phosphorous ratio, Mastiff puppies and young adults are prone to skeletal disorders. It is best to feed on a meal schedule, rather than free feeding, in order to avoid excessive weight gain.

Origin

A very old breed, the English Mastiff originates from Britain and is depicted in Egyptian monuments as early as 3000 BC. Caesar brought a pack of Mastiffs to Rome where the dogs were put on display as arena gladiators and forced to be in fights with human gladiators, lions, bull baiting, bear baiting and in dog-to-dog combat.

They later became popular with the peasants in England where they were used as a bodyguard, protector of wolves and other dangerous predators and as a companion dog. In the eighteenth century, the Mastiff was described: “As a lion is to a cat, so is a mastiff compared to a dog.” It is believed that a Mastiff came to America on the Mayflower.

Later more were imported. Like most breeds by the end of World War ll, the breed was almost extinct in England. Dogs were imported from the USA and Canada and are once again well established in England. Some of the Mastiff’s talents include watchdog, guarding, police work, military work, search and rescue, and weight pulling.

Clubs, Registries & Associations

(Based on breed recognition. See store for details on a particular puppy.)

• American Canine Association Inc.
• The American Canine Registry
• American Kennel Club
• Australian National Kennel Club
•  American Pet Registry, Inc.
• Canadian Kennel Club
• Continental Kennel Club
• Dog Registry of America, Inc.
• Fédération Cynologique Internationale
• Kennel Club of Great Britain
• North American Purebred Registry, Inc.
• National Kennel Club
• New Zealand Kennel Club
• United Kennel Club

Additional Information

Group: Mastiff
Average Weight: 150-200 lbs.
Personality Traits: Alert, self-confident, protective
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Coat: Short

Check out the English Mastiff puppies we currently have in our stores. If there are none here, please contact us and we’ll be in touch.

✓ This article has been reviewed by Animal Kingdom’s expert team to ensure accuracy and reliable pet care guidance.